Plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzymes and their use

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzymes (dNK) capable of phosphorylating nucleoside analogs and to medical use of said dNKs. More specifically the invention relates to the medical use of deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzymes derived from ( Arabidopsis thaliana ), from loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda ), from tomato ( Lycopersicum esculentum ), from maize ( Zea mays ) or from rice ( Oryza sativa ). The invention also relates to methods of sensitising cells to prodrugs, and to methods of inhibiting pathogenic agents in warm-blooded animals using said plant dNKs.  
     In another aspect the invention relates to plant derived deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzymes provided in isolated form from loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda ), from tomato ( Lycopersicum esculentum ), from maize ( Zea mays ) or from rice ( Oryza sativa ). In further aspects the invention provides polynucleotides encoding the plant dNKs, vector constructs comprising the polynucleotide, packaging cell lines capable of producing said vector, and genetically modified isolated host cells transduced/transfected/-transformed with the vector.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzymes (dNK) capable of phosphorylating nucleoside analogs and to medical use of said dNKs. More specifically the invention relates to the medical use of deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzymes derived from (Arabidopsis thaliana), from loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), from maize (Zea mays) or from rice (Oryza sativa). The invention also relates to methods of sensitising cells to prodrugs, and to methods of inhibiting pathogenic agents in warm-blooded animals using said plant dNKs.

In another aspect the invention relates to plant derived deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzymes provided in isolated form from loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), from maize (Zea mays) or from rice (Oryza sativa). In further aspects the invention provides polynucleotides encoding the plant dNKs, vector constructs comprising the polynucleotide, packaging cell lines capable of producing said vector, and genetically modified isolated host cells transduced/transfected/transformed with the vector.

BACKGROUND ART

DNA is made of four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, provided by the de novo and the salvage pathway. The key enzyme of the de novo pathway is ribonucleotide reductase, which catalyses the reduction of the 2′-OH group of the nucleoside diphosphates, and the key salvage enzymes are the deoxyribonucleoside kinases, which phosphorylate deoxyribonucleosides to the corresponding deoxyribonucleoside monophosphates.

Deoxyribonucleoside kinases from various organisms differ in their substrate specificity, regulation of gene expression and cellular localisation. In mammalian cells there are four enzymes with overlapping specificities, the thymidine kinases 1 (TK1) and 2 (TK2), deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) and deoxyguanosine kinase (dGK) phosphorylate purine and pyrimidine deoxyribonucleosides. TK1 and TK2 are pyrimidine specific and phosphorylate deoxyuridine (dUrd) and thymidine (dThd), and TK2 also phosphorylates deoxycytidine (dCyd). dCK phosphorylates dCyd, deoxyadenosine (dAdo) and deoxyguanosine (dGuo), but not dThd. dGK phosphorylates dGuo and dAdo. In mammals, TK1 is cytosolic, and TK2 and dGK are localised in the mitochondria, although recent reports indicate a cytoplasmic localisation of TK2 as well.

WO 01/88106 describes multi-substrate deoxyribonucleoside kinase variants derived from insects, in particular Drosophila melanogaster, and Bombyx mori, and amphibians Xenopus laevis.

A piece of genomic DNA from Arabidopsis thaliana has been annotated as putative deoxyguanosine kinase (dGK), suggesting that it converts only purine nucleosides, in GenBank™ (Accession No. AAG51141). However, up to this date no experimental work towards characterisation, properties, localisabon, use or biological function of plant kinases has yet been accomplished.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide plant deoxyribonucleoside kinases useful for converting nucleoside analogs into toxic substances, and useful for converting nucleosides into monophosphates. In particular it is an object of the invention to provide such plant deoxyribonucleoside kinases for medical use.

It is a further object to provide pharmaceutical compositions making use of the properties of said plant-derived deoxyribonucleoside kinases.

In a first aspect the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme, or a polynucleotide sequence encoding said at least one plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme, or an expression vector comprising said polynucleotide sequence, or a packaging cell line capable of producing an infective virion comprising said vector, or an isolated host cell transduced with the vector, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

Plant deoxyribonucleoside kinases have never been contemplated for use in a pharmaceutical composition or for medical use at all. The present inventors have determined that plant deoxyribonucleoside kinases have properties different from those of deoxyribonucleoside kinases from other taxons, in particular virus and animals, which properties make plant deoxyribonucleoside kinases better for medical use than other deoxyribonucleoside kinases.

Preferably, the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme is selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme derived from thale         cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), from         tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), from maize (Zea mays) or from         rice (Oryza sativa),     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising the amino         acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ         ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 10, or SEQ ID NO: 12,     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising an amino         acid sequence of at least 70% identity with any one of said SEQ         ID Nos, when determined over its entire length,     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme having an amino acid         sequence which, when aligned with a sequence selected from those         presented in Table 1, comprises 60% or more of the residues         identified in Table 1 as conserved residues, and     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase as defined above having a         C-terminal and/or N-terminal deletion in the order of 1-80 amino         acid residues.

The present inventors have determined that the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinases as defined above have unexpected properties in terms of substrate specificity. This means that the enzymes are essentially multi-substrate, plant dCK/dGK-like kinase enzymes. It also means that the enzymes are more efficient that the known dNKs of which the deoxyribonucleoside kinase derived from human Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is the most promising. For example, upon transduction into a cell, the preferred enzymes of the pharmaceutical compositions decrease at least 3 fold the lethal dose (LD₁₀₀) of at least one nucleoside analogue when compared to the action of a deoxyribonucleoside kinase derived from human Herpes simplex preferably human Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). One preferred example of such nucleoside analogues used for reference is gemcitabine (dFdC).

In a further aspect the invention relates to articles containing a nucleoside analogue and a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase, or a gene coding for said plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase, or vector comprising said gene coding for said plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase, or a packaging cell line capable of producing an infective virion comprising said vector, as a combination for the simultaneous, separate or successive administration in cancer therapy.

Preferably, said plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase is enzyme is selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme derived from thale         cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), from         tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), from maize (Zea mays) or from         rice (Oryza sativa),     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising the amino         acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ         ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 10, or SEQ ID NO: 12,     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising an amino         acid sequence of at least 70% identity with any one of said SEQ         ID NOs, when determined over its entire length,     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme having an amino acid         sequence which, when aligned with a sequence selected from those         presented in Table 1, comprises 60% or more of the residues         identified in Table 1 as conserved residues, and     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase as defined above having a         C-terminal and/or N-terminal deletion in the order of 1-80 amino         acid residues.

Such articles can be used in particular in the treatment of cancer.

Preferably the nucleoside analogue containd in said articles is selected from the group consisting of cytidine, adenosine and guanosine analogs. These nucleoside analogues can all be converted by the kinases described in the present invention, and provide a high therapeutic efficiency. More preferably the nucleoside analog is Gemcitabine.

In a further aspect the invention relates to a method of inhibiting a pathogenic agent in a warm-blooded animal, which method comprises administering to said animal a polynucleotide or a vector encoding a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme, or a packaging cell line capable of producing an infective virion comprising said vector.

Preferably, the encoded plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme is selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme derived from thale         cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), from         tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), from maize (Zea mays) or from         rice (Oryza sativa),     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising the amino         acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ         ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 10, or SEQ ID NO: 12,     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising an amino         acid sequence of at least 70% identity with any one of said SEQ         ID NOs, when determined over its entire length,     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme having an amino acid         sequence which, when aligned with a sequence selected from those         presented in Table 1, comprises 60% or more of the residues         identified in Table 1 as conserved residues, and     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase as defined in any of items ii         or iii having a C-terminal and/or N-terminal deletion in the         order of 1-80 amino acid residues.

Due to the improved and hitherto unknown kinetic properties of the enzymes described above these are particularly useful in treating said pathogenic agents.

According to the most preferred embodiment of the medical, pharmaceutical, and therapeutic aspects of the invention, the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase is derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), and the enzyme shows at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, more preferred at least 90%, most preferred at least 95% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 2.

In another aspect the invention provides plant deoxyribonucleoside linase enzymes derived from loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), from maize (Zea mays) or from rice (Oryza sativa), as well as the nucleotide sequences coding for said plant deoxyribonucleoside kinases, vector constructs comprising said polynucleotide sequences and a promoter operably linked to the polynucleotide, packaging cell lines capable of producing infective virions, which cell lines comprises said expression vector of the invention, isolated host cells transduced/transfected/transformed with the expression vector of the invention.

The dCK/dGK like kinase enzymes from these four plant species constitute enzymes provided for the first time in purified form by the present invention. Due to the unexpected broad substrate specificity and the ability to phosphorylate a broad range of nucleoside analogues the kinases can be used for a wide range of applications, including medical use.

In a further aspect the invention relates to the use of the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention for phosphorylation of nucleosides or nucleoside analogs.

In a still further aspect the invention provides methods of phosphorylating nucleosides or nucleoside analogs, comprising the steps of subjecting the nucleosides or nucleoside analogs to the action of the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention, and recovering the phosphorylated nucleosides or nucleoside analogs.

This use and the corresponding method stems from the broad substrate specificity and/or the improved kinetic properties of the enzymes provided with the present invention.

In a further aspect the invention provides a method of non-invasive nuclear imaging of transgene expression of a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention in a cell or subject.

For the development of effective clinical suicide gene therapy protocols, a non-invasive method to assay the extent, the kinetics and the spatial distribution of transgene expression is essential. Such imaging methods allow investigators and physicians to assess the efficiency of experimental and therapeutic gene transfection protocols and would enable early prognosis of therapy outcome.

Radionuclide imaging techniques like single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET), which can non-invasively visualize and quantify metabolic processes in vivo, are being evaluated for repetitive monitoring of transgene expression in living animals and humans. Transgene expression can be monitored directly by imaging the expression of the therapeutic gene itself, or indirectly using a reporter gene that is coupled to the therapeutic gene. Various radiopharmaceuticals have been developed and are now being evaluated for imaging of transgene expression.

In a further aspect the invention relates to a method of controlling or modifying growth of a plant, which plant comprises plant cells comprising a polynucleotide encoding a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention which method comprises the step of exposing the plant or plant cells to a nucleoside analogue. Preferably said nucleoside analogue is gemcitabine.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art from the following detailed description and examples.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Pharmaceutical Compositions

In one aspect the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme, or a polynucleotide sequence encoding said at least one plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme, or an expression vector comprising said polynucleotide sequence, or a packaging cell line capable of producing an infective virion comprising said vector, or an isolated host cell transduced with the vector, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

Preferably the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme is selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme derived from thale         cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), from         tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), from maize (Zea mays)or from         rice (Oryza sativa),     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising the amino         acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ         ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 10, or SEQ ID NO: 12,     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising an amino         acid sequence of at least 70% identity with any one of said SEQ         ID Nos, when determined over its entire length,     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme having an amino acid         sequence which, when aligned with a sequence selected from those         presented in Table 1, comprises 60% or more of the residues         identified in Table 1 as conserved residues, and     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase as defined above having a         C-terminal and/or N-terminal deletion in the order of 1-80 amino         acid residues.

In some embodiments the pharmaceutical composition comprises a gene coding for the deoxyribonucleoside kinase, an expression vector comprising said gene or a packaging cell line capable of producing an infective virion comprising said vector. For these embodiments, the preferred polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence coding for the deoxyribonucleoside kinase is selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   the polynucleotide sequence of any of SEQ ID No 1, 3, 5, 7, 9,         or 11;     -   a polynucleotide sequence having at least 70% sequence identity         with any of SEQ ID No 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11 when determined over         its entire length;     -   a polynucleotide sequence capable of hybridising under at least         medium stringency conditions with a polynucleotide sequence         presented as SEQ ID No 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or 1; and     -   a functional analog of any of SEQ ID No 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11.

For the medical, pharmaceutical and therapeutic aspects of the invention, the preferred plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzymes are selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme derived from thale         cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), from tomato (Lycopersicum         esculentum),     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising the amino         acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 6,     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising an amino         acid sequence of at least 80% identity with any one said SEQ ID         Nos, when determined over its entire length, and     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase as defined above having an         N-terminal or C-terminal deletion in the order of 1-80 amino         acid residues.

These enzymes have improved kinetic properties and broader substrate specifictity compared to known dNKs, in particular compared to a deoxyribonucleoside kinase derived from human Herpes simplex, in particular human Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

In terms of polynucleotide sequences encoding a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme the corresponding preferred sequences are selected from the group consisiting of:

-   -   a polynucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID No 1 or 5;     -   a polynucleotide sequence having at least 80% sequence identity         with SEQ ID No 1 or 5 when determined over its entire length;     -   a polynucleotide sequence derived from SEQ ID No I or 5 having a         5′ and/or 3′ deletion in the order of 3 to 240 nucleotides.

More preferably the enzymes for the medical, pharmaceutical and therapeutic aspects are derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), and which enzyme shows at least 80%, preferably at. least 85%, more preferred at least 90%, most preferred at least 95% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 2. In the assays provided in the examples, the dNK from thale cress was most efficient in phosphorylating both deoxyribonucleosides and analogs.

In terms of polynucleotide sequences this corresponds to the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase encoding sequence derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), which sequence shows at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, more preferred at least 90%, most preferred at least 95% identity with the polynucleotide sequence presented as SEQ ID No. 1.

For use in therapy the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention may be administered in any convenient form. In a preferred embodiment, plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention is incorporated into a pharmaceutical composition together with one or more adjuvants, excipients, carriers and/or diluents, and the pharmaceutical composition prepared by the skilled person using conventional methods known in the art.

The composition may be administered alone or in combination with one or more other agents, drugs or hormones.

The pharmaceutical composition of this invention may be administered by any suitable route, including, but not limited to oral, intravenous, intramuscular, interarterial, intramedullary, intrathecal, intraventricular, transdermal, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, anteral, topical, sublingual or rectal application, buccal, vaginal, intraorbital, intracerebral, intracranial, intraspinal, intraventricular, intracisternal, intracapsular, intrapulmonary, transmucosal, or via inhalation.

Further details on techniques for formulation and administration may be found in the latest edition of Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (Maack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa.).

The active ingredient may be administered in one or several doses per day. Currently contemplated appropriate dosages are between 0.5 ng to about 50 μg/kg deoxyribonucleoside kinase/kg body weight per administration, and from about 1.0 ng/kg to about 100 μg/kg daily.

The dose administered must of course be carefully adjusted to the age, weight and condition of the individual being treated, as well as the route of administration, dosage form and regimen, and the result desired, and the exact dosage should of course be determined by the practitioner.

In further embodiments, the the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase of the invention may be administered by genetic delivery, using cell lines and vectors as described below under methods of treatment.

Therefore, in another preferred embodiment, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polynucleotide of the invention, or a vector of the invention, or a packaging cell of the invention, or a host cell of the invention, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

To generate such therapeutic cell lines, the polynucleotide of the invention may be inserted into an expression vector, e.g. a plasmid, virus or other expression vehicle, and operatively linked to expression control sequences by ligation in a way that expression of the coding sequence is achieved under conditions compatible with the expression control sequences.

Suitable expression control sequences include promoters, enhancers, transcription terminators, start codons, splicing signals for introns, and stop codons, all maintained in the correct reading frame of the polynucleotide of the invention so as to permit proper translation of mRNA. Expression control sequences may also include additional components such as leader sequences and fusion partner sequences.

Methods of Treatment

The present invention, which relates to polynucleotides and proteins, polypeptides, or derivatives produced therefrom, may be used for treating or alleviating a disorder or disease of a living animal body, including a human, which disorder or disease is responsive to the activity of a cytotoxic agent.

The disorder, disease or condition may in particular be a cancer or a viral infection.

The polynucleotides of the present invention may in particular be used as a “suicide gene”, i.e. a drug-susceptibility gene. Transfer of a suicide gene to a target cell renders the cell sensitive to compounds or compositions that are relatively non-toxic to normal cells.

Therefore, in one aspect, the invention provides a method for sensitising target cells to prodrugs, which method comprises the steps of

-   -   (i) transfecting the target cell with a polynucleotide sequence         encoding a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme that promotes         the conversion of said prodrug into a (cytotoxic) drug; and     -   (ii) delivering said prodrug to said target cell;

wherein said target cell is more sensitive to said (cytotoxic) drug than to aid prodrug.

In its broadest aspect any plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme may be used. However, more preferably the the encoded plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme is selected from the group consisting of:

a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme derived from thale cress Arabidopsis thaliana, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), from maize (Zea mays)or from rice (Oryza sativa),

-   -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising the amino         acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ         ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 10, or SEQ ID NO: 12,     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising an amino         acid sequence of at least 70% identity with any one of said SEQ         ID Nos, when determined over its entire length,     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme having an amino acid         sequence which, when aligned with a sequence selected from those         presented in Table 1, comprises 60% or more of the residues         identified in Table 1 as conserved residues, and     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase as defined above having a         C-terminal and/or N-terminal deletion in the order of 1-80 amino         acid residues.

For the therapeutic aspects of the invention, the preferred plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzymes are selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme derived from thale         cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), from tomato (Lycopersicum         esculentum),     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising the amino         acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 6,     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising an amino         acid sequence of at least 80% identity with any one said SEQ ID         Nos, when determined over its entire length, and     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase as defined above having an         N-terminal or C-terminal deletion in the order of 1-80 amino         acid residues.

These enzymes have improved kinetic properties and broader substrate specifictity compared to known dNKs, in particular compared to a deoxyribonucleoside kinase derived from human Herpes simplex, in particular human Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

More preferably the enzymes for the medical, pharmaceutical and therapeutic aspects are derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), and which enzyme shows at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, more preferred at least 90%, most preferred at least 95% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 2. In the assays provided in the examples, the dNK from thale cress was most efficient in phosphorylating both deoxyribonucleosides and analogs.

The deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme invention may be used directly via e.g., injected, implanted or ingested pharmaceutical compositions to treat a pathological process responsive to the deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme.

The polynucleotide of the invention, including the complementary sequences thereof, may be used for the expression of the deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention. This may be achieved by cell lines expressing such proteins, peptides or derivatives of the invention, or by virus vectors encoding such proteins, peptides or derivatives of the invention, or by host cells expressing such proteins, peptides or derivatives. These cells, vectors and compositions may be administered to treatment target areas to affect a disease process responsive to cytotoxic agents.

Suitable expression vectors may be a viral vector derived from Herpes simplex, adenovira, lentivira, retrovira, or vaccinia vira, or from various bacterially produced plasmids, and may be used for in vivo delivery of nucleotide sequences to a whole organism or a target organ, tissue or cell population. Other methods include, but are not limited to, liposome transfection, electroporation, transfection with carrier peptides containing nuclear or other localising signals, and gene delivery via slow-release systems. In still another aspect of the invention, “antisense” nucleotide sequences complementary to the nucleotide of the invention or portions thereof, may be used to inhibit or enhance deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme expression.

In another preferred embodiment the invention provides methods for inhibiting pathogenic agents in warm-blooded animals, which methods comprises the step of administering to said animal a polynucleotide of the invention, or an expression vector of the invention.

In a more preferred embodiment the polynucleotide sequence or the expression vector is administered in vivo.

In another preferred embodiment the pathogenic agent is a virus, a bacteria or a parasite, or even a tumour cell.

In another preferred embodiment the pathogenic agent is an autoreactive immune cell.

In an even more preferred embodiment the method further comprises the step of administering a nucleoside analogue to said warm-blooded animal.

Prodrugs/Nucleoside Analogs

Numerous nucleoside analogs exist that can be converted into a toxic product by the dNKs described in the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment the prodrug is a nucleoside analogue. Nucleoside analogues that are suitable for use according to the invention include aciclovir (9-[2-hydroxy-ethoxy]-methyl-guanosine), buciclovir, famciclovir, ganciclovir (9-[2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethoxyl-methyl]-guanosine), penciclovir, valciclovir, trifluorothymidine, AZT (3′-azido-3′-thymidine), AIU (5′-iodo-5′-amino-2′,5′-dideoxyuridine), ara-A (adenosine-arabinoside; Vivarabine), ara-C (cytidine-arabinoside), ara-G (9-beta-D-arabinofuranosylguanine), ara-T, 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl thymine, 5-ethyl-2′-deoxyuridine, 5-iodo-5′-amino-2,5′-dideoxyuridine, 1-[2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-arabino furanosyl]-5-iodouracil, idoxuridine (5-iodo-2′deoxyuridine), fludarabine (2-Fluoroadenine 9-beta-D-Arabinofuranoside), gencitabine, 3′-deoxyadenosine (3-dA), 2′,3′-dideoxyinosine (ddl), 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine (ddC), 2′,3′-dideoxythymidine (ddT), 2′,3′-dideoxyadenosine (ddA), 2′,3′-dideoxyguanosine (ddG), 2-chloro-2′-deoxyadenosine (2CdA), 5-fluorodeoxyuridine, BVaraU ((E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyluracil), BVDU (5-bromovinyl-deoxyuridine), FIAU (1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil), 3TC (2′-deoxy-3′-thiacytidine), dFdC gemcitabine (2′,2′-difluorodeoxycytidine), dFdG (2′,2′-difluorodeoxyguanosine), 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FdUrd), d4T (2′,3′didehydro-3′-deoxythymidine), ara-M (6-methoxy purinearabinonucleoside), IudR (5-Jodo-2′deoxyuridine), CaFdA (2-chloro-2-ara-fluoro-deoxyadenosine), ara-U (1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyluracil), FBVAU (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)uracil, FMAU 1-(2-deoxzy-2-fluoro-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methyluracil, FLT 3′-fluoro-2′-deoxythymidine, 5-Br-dUrd 5-bromodeoxyuridine, 5-Cl-dUrd 5-chlorodeoxyuridine, dFdU 2′,2′-difluorodeoxyuridine, (−)Carbovir (C-D4G), 2,6-Diamino-ddP (ddDAPR; DAPDDR; 2,6-Diamino-2′,3′-dideoxypurine-9-ribofuranoside), 9-(2′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-β-D-erythropentofuranosyl)adenine (2′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxyadenosine; 2′-N3ddA), 2′FddT (2′-Fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxy-β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)thymine), 2′-N3ddA(β-D-threo) (9-(2′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-β-D-threopentofuranosyl)adenine), 3-(3-Oxo-1-propenyl)AZT (3-(3-Oxo-1-propenyl)-3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine), 3′-Az-5-Cl-ddC (3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-chlorocytidine), 3′-N3-3′-dT (3′-Azido-3′-deoxy-6-azathymidine), 3′-F4Thio-ddT (2′,3′-Dideoxy-3′-fluoro-4-thiothymidine), 3′-F-5-Cl-ddC (2′,3′-Dideoxy-3′-fluoro-5-chlorocytidine), 3′-FddA (B-D-Erythro) (9-(3′-Fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxy-B-D-erythropentafuranosyl)adenine), Uravidine (3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxyuridine; AzdU), 3′-FddC (3′-Fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxycytidine), 3′-F-ddDAPR (2,6-Diaminopurine-3′-fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxyriboside), 3′-FddG (3′-Fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxyguanosine), 3′-FddU (3′-Fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxyuridine), 3′-Hydroxymethyl-ddC (2′,3′-Dideoxy-3′-hydroxymethyl cytidine; BEA-005), 3′-N3-5-CF3-ddU (3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-trifluoromethyluridine), 3′-N3-5-Cyanomethyloxy-ddU (3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-[(cyanomethyl)oxy]uridine), 3′-N3-5-F-ddC (3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-fluorocytidine), 3′-N3-5-Me-ddC (CS-92; 3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-methylcytidine), 3′-N3-5-NH2-ddU (3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-aminouridine), 3′-N3-5-NHMe-ddU (3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-methyaminouridine), 3′-N3-5-NMe2-ddU (3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-dimethylaminouridine), 3′-N3-5-OH-ddU (3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-hydroxyuridine), 3′-N3-5-SCN-ddU (3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-thiocyanatouridine), 3′-N3-ddA (9-(3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-B-D-erythropentafuranosyl)adenine), 3′-N3-ddC (CS-91; 3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxycytidine), 3′-N3ddG (AZG; 3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxyguanosine), 3′-N3-N4-5-diMe-ddC (3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-N4-5-dimethylcytidine), 3′-N3-N4-OH-5-Me-ddC (3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-N4-OH-5-methylcytidine), 4′-Az-3′-dT (4′-Azido-3′-deoxythymidine), 4′-Az-5CldU (4′-Azido-5chloro-2′-deoxyuridine), 4′-AzdA (4′-Azido-2′-deoxyadenosine), 4′-AzdC (4′-Azido-2′-deoxycytidine), 4′-AzdG (4′-Azido-2′-deoxyguanosine), 4′-AzdI (4′-Azido-2′-deoxyinosine), 4′-AzdU (4′-Azido-2′-deoxyuridine), 4′-Azidothymidine (4′-Azido-2′-deoxy-.beta.-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl-5-methyl-2,4-dioxopyrimidine), 4′-CN-T (4′-Cyanothymidine), 5-Et-ddC (2′,3′-Dideoxy-5-ethylcytidine), 5-F-ddC (5-Fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxycytidine), 6Cl-ddP (D2ClP; 6-Chloro-ddP; CPDDR; 6-Chloro-9-(2,3-dideoxy-.beta.-D-glyceropentofuranosyl)-9H-purine), 935U83 (2′,3′-Dideoxy-3′-fluoro-5-chlorouridine; 5-Chloro-2′,3′-dideoxy-3′-fluorouridine; FddClU; Raluridine), AZddBrU (3′-N3-5-Br-ddU; 3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-bromouridine), AzddClU; AzddClUrd (3′-Azido-5-chloro-2′,3′-dideoxyuridine), AZddEtU (3′-N3-5-EtddU; CS-85; 3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-ethyluridine), AZddFU (3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-fluorouridine), AZddIU (3′-N3-5-I-ddU; 3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-iodouridine), AZT-2,5′-anhydro (2,5′-Anhydro-3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine), AZT-α-L (α-L-AZT), AZU-2,5′-anhydro (2,5′-Anhydro-3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxyuridine), C-analog of 3′-N3-ddU (3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-aza-6-deazauridine), D2SMeP (9-(2,3-Dideoxy-β-D-ribofuranosyl)-6-(methylthio)purine), D4A (2′,3′-Dideoxydidehydroadenosine), D4C (2′,3′-Didehydro-3′-deoxycytidine), D4DAP (2,6-Diaminopurine-2′,3′-dideoxydidehydroriboside; ddeDAPR), D4FC (D-D4FC; 2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-fluorocytidine), D4G (2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxyguanosine), DMAPDDR (N-6-dimethyl ddA; 6-Dimethylaminopurine-2′,3′-dideoxyriboside), dOTC (−) ((−)-2′-Deoxy-3′-oxa-4′-thiocytidine), dOTC (+) ((+)-2′-Deoxy-3′-oxa-4′-thiocytidine), dOTFC (−) ((−)-2′-Deoxy-3′-oxa-4′-thio-5-fluorocytidine), dOTFC (+) ((+)-2′-Deoxy-3′-oxa-4′-thio-5-fluorocytidine), DXG ((−)-β-Dioxolane-G), DXC-α-L-(α-L-Dioxalane-C), FddBrU (2′,3′-Dideoxy-3′-fluoro-5-bromouridine), FddIU (3′-Fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-iodouridine), FddT (Alovudine; 3′-FddT; FddThD; 3′-FLT; FLT), FTC (Emtricitabine; Coviracil; (−)-FTC; (−)-2′,3′-Dideoxy-5-fluoro-3′-thiacytidine), FTC-α-L-(α-L-FTC), L-D4A (L-2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxyadenosine), L-D4FC (L-2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-fluorocytidine), L-D4I (L-2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxyinosine), L-D4G (L-2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-deoxyguanosine), L-FddC (β-L-5F-ddC), Lodenosine (F-ddA; 2′-FddA (B-D-threo); 2′-F-dd-ara-A; 9-(2′-Fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxy-B-D-threopentafuranosyl)adenine), MeAZddIsoC (5-Methyl-3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxyisocytidine), N6-Et-ddA (N-Ethyl-2′,3′-dideoxyadenosine), N-6-methyl ddA (N6-Methyl-2′,3′-dideoxyadenosine) or RO31-6840 (1-(2′,3′-Dideoxy-2′-fluoro-β-D-threo-pentofuranosyl)cytosine).

More preferably the nucleoside analog is cytidine analog, a guanosine analog or an adenosine analog. Preferred examples of such cytidine, guanosine and adenosine analogs include dFdC gemcitabine (2′,2′-difluorodeoxycytidine), 2-chloro-2′-deoxyadenosine (2CdA), CaFdA (2-chloro-2-ara-fluoro-deoxyadenosine), fludarabine (2-Fluoroadenine 9-beta-D-Arabinofuranoside), 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine (ddC), 2′,3′-dideoxyadenosine (ddA), 2′,3′-dideoxyguanosine (ddG), ara-A (adenosine-arabinoside; Vivarabine), ara-C (cytidine-arabinoside), ara-G (9-beta-D-arabinofuranosylguanine), aciclovir (9-[2-hydroxy-ethoxy]-methyl-guanosine), buciclovir, famciclovir, ganciclovir (9-[2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethoxyl-methyl]-guanosine), penciclovir, valciclovir, 3TC (2′-deoxy-3′-thiacytidine), dFdG (2′,2′-difluorodeoxyguanosine), 2,6-Diamino-ddP (ddDAPR; DAPDDR; 2,6-Diamino-2′,3′-dideoxypurine-9-ribofuranoside), 9-(2′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-β-D-erythropentofuranosyl)adenine (2′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxyadenosine; 2′-N3ddA), 2′-N3ddA(β-D-threo) (9-(2′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-β-D-threopentofuranosyl)adenine), 3′-Az-5-Cl-ddC (3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-chlorocytidine), 3′-F-5-Cl-ddC (2′,3′-Dideoxy-3′-fluoro-5-chlorocytidine), 3′-FddA (B-D-Erythro) (9-(3′-Fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxy-B-D-erythropentafuranosyl)adenine), 3′-FddC (3′-Fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxycytidine), 3′-F-ddDAPR (2,6-Diaminopurine-3′-fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxyriboside), 3′-FddG (3′-Fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxyguanosine), 3′-Hydroxymethyl-ddC (2′,3′-Dideoxy-3′-hydroxymethyl cytidine; BEA-005), 3′-N3-5-F-ddC (3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-fluorocytidine), 3′-N3-5-Me-ddC (CS-92; 3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-methylcytidine), 3′-N3-ddA (9-(3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-B-D-erythropentafuranosyl)adenine), 3′-N3-ddC (CS-91; 3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxycytidine), 3′-N3ddG (AZG; 3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxyguanosine), 3′-N3-N4-5-diMe-ddC (3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-N4-5-dimethylcytidine), 3′-N3-N4-OH-5-Me-ddC (3′-Azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-N4-OH-5-methylcytidine), 4′-AzdA (4′-Azido-2′-deoxyadenosine), 4′-AzdC (4′-Azido-2′-deoxycytidine), 4′-AzdG (4′-Azido-2′-deoxyguanosine), 5-Et-ddC (2′,3′-Dideoxy-5ethylcytidine), 5-F-ddC (5-Fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxycytidine), 6Cl-ddP (D2ClP; 6-Chloro-ddP; CPDDR; 6-Chloro-9-(2,3-dideoxy-.beta.-D-glyceropentofuranosyl)-9H-purine), D2SMeP (9-(2,3-Dideoxy-β-D-ribofuranosyl)-6-(methylthio)purine), D4A (2′,3′-Dideoxydidehydroadenosine), D4C (2′,3′-Didehydro-3′-deoxycytidine), D4DAP (2,6-Diaminopurine-2′,3′-dideoxydidehydroriboside; ddeDAPR), D4FC (D-D4FC; 2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-fluorocytidine), D4G (2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxyguanosine), DMAPDDR (N-6-dimethyl ddA; 6-Dimethylaminopurine-2′,3′-dideoxyriboside), dOTC (−) ((−)-2′-Deoxy-3′-oxa-4′-thiocytidine), dOTC (+) ((+)-2′-Deoxy-3′-oxa-4′-thiocytidine), dOTFC (−) ((−)-2′-Deoxy-3′-oxa4′-thio-5-fluorocytidine), dOTFC (+) ((+)-2′-Deoxy-3′-oxa-4′-thio-5-fluorocytidine), DXG ((−)-β-Dioxolane-G), DXC-α-L-(α-L-Dioxalane-C), FTC (Emtricitabine; Coviracil; (−)-FTC; (−)-2′,3′-Dideoxy-5-fluoro-3′-thiacytidine), FTC-α-L-(α-L-FTC), L-D4A (L-2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxyadenosine), L-D4FC (L-2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-fluorocytidine), L-D4I (L-2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxyinosine), L-D4G (L-2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-deoxyguanosine), L-FddC (β-L-5F-ddC), Lodenosine (F-ddA; 2′-FddA (B-D-threo); 2′-F-dd-ara-A; 9-(2′-Fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxy-B-D-threopentafuranosyl)adenine), MeAZddIsoC (5-Methyl-3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxyisocytidine), N6-Et-ddA (N-Ethyl-2′,3′-dideoxyadenosine), N-6-methyl ddA (N6-Methyl-2′,3′-dideoxyadenosine) or RO31-6840 (1-(2′,3′-Dideoxy-2′-fluoro-β-D-threo-pentofuranosyl)cytosine).

In a especially preferred embodiment the nucleoside analog is Gemcitabine which is shown in the examples to be converted effectively by the enzymes of the present invention into a toxic product.

Plant Deoxyribonucleoside Kinase Enzymes

The invention relates to plant dCK/dGK-like deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzymes. By a dCK/dGK-like deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme is understood an enzyme which can phosphorylate at least dAdo, dGuo, and dCyd as shown in Example 3. This does not exclude that the kinases have activity towards other deoxyribonucleosides as can be seen in the examples.

In one embodiment, the plant dCK/dGK-like deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzymes, upon transducton into a cell, decreases at least 3 fold the lethal dose (LD₁₀₀) of at least one nucleoside analogue when compared to the action of a deoxyribonucleoside kinase derived from human Herpes simplex, in particular human Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Preferably said at least one nucleoside analogue is Gemcitabine.

In one aspect, the plant dCK/dGK-like deoxyribonucleoside kinase of the invention is derived from thale cress Arabidopsis thaliana, from loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), from maize (Zea mays) or from rice (Oryza sativa).

For the medical, pharmaceutical and therapeutic aspects of the invention, the most preferred plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzymes are selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme derived from thale         cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), from tomato (Lycopersicum         esculentum),     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising the amino         acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 6,     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising an amino         acid sequence of at least 70% identity with any one said SEQ ID         Nos, when determined over its entire length, and     -   a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase as defined above having an         N-terminal or C-terminal deletion in the order of 180 amino acid         residues.

These enzymes have improved kinetic properties and broader substrate specifictity compared to known dNKs, in particular compared to a deoxyribonucleoside kinase derived from human Herpes simplex, in particular human Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

More preferably the enzymes for the medical, pharmaceutical and therapeutic aspects are derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), and which enzyme shows at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, more preferred at least 90%, most preferred at least 95% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 2. In the assays provided in the examples, the dNK from thale cress was most efficient in phosphorylating both deoxyribonucleosides and analogs.

In one embodiment, the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinases of the invention are multi-substrate kinases, capable of converting all four natural deoxyribonucleosides (dThd, dCyd, dAdo, dGuo). This can in particular be obtained by C— and/or N-terminal deletions.

In another embodiment, the invention provides isolated plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzymes (dNK) derived from loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), from maize (Zea mays) and from rice (Oryza sativa). More specifically the isolated plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzymes of the invention are deoxycytidine kinases (dCK) and/or deoxyguanosine kinases (dGK), herein designated as dCK/dGK-like kinases.

Based on a Clustal W (1.8) multiple amino acid sequence alignment of the loblolly pine, tomato, maize and rice deoxyribonucleoside kinases with a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase derived from Arabidopsis thaliana, several conserved, semi-conserved and lesser-conserved residues were identified, as shown in Table 1 below. TABLE 1 Clustal W (1.8) Multiple Amino Acid Sequence Alignment

AT-dCK/dGK (SEQ ID NO: 2) Tomato-dCK/dGK (SEQ ID NO: 6) Pine-dCK/dGK (SEQ ID NO: 4) Maize-dCK/dGK (SEQ ID NO: 8) Rice-dCK/dGKII (SEQ ID NO: 12) Rice-dCK/dGKI (SEQ ID NO: 10) +N-terminal extension *C-terminal extension Black: identical residues - threshold 50% Grey: similar residues - threshold 50% % conserved residues : semiconserved residues

In a preferred embodiment the amino acid sequence of the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention, when aligned with a sequence selected from those presented in Table 1, comprises 60% or more of the residues identified in Table 1 as conserved residues, preferably more than 70%, more preferred more than 80%, even more preferred more than 90%, still more preferred more than 95%, most preferred every one of the conserved residues identified in Table 1.

In a more preferred embodiment the amino acid sequence of the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention, when aligned with a sequence selected from those presented in Table 1, in addition to comprising conserved residues, also comprises a semi-conserved residue at 60% or more of the positions identified in Table 1 as semi-conserved residues, preferably more than 70%, more preferred more than 80%, even more preferred more than 90%, still more preferred more than 95%, most preferred every one of the semi-conserved residues identified in Table 1.

Identity of Polypeptides

In another preferred embodiment the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention comprises the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 2, as SEQ ID NO: 4, as SEQ ID NO: 6, as SEQ ID NO: 8, as SEQ ID NO: 10, or as SEQ ID NO: 12, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, more preferred at least 90%, most preferred at least 95% identity with any of said sequences, when determined over the entire length of the SEQ ID NO.

In the context of this invention “identity” is a measure of the degree of identical amino acid residues among sequences. In order to characterize the identity, subject sequences are aligned so that the highest order homology (match) is obtained. Based on these general principles the “percent identity” of two amino acid sequences is determined using the BLASTP algorithm [Tatiana A. Tatusova, Thomas L. Madden: Blast 2 sequences—a new tool for comparing protein and nucleotide sequences; FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 1999 174 247-250], which is available from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) web site, and using the default settings suggested here (i.e. Matrix=Blosum62; Open gap=11; Extension gap=1; Penalties gab x_dropoff=50; Expect=10; Word size=3; Filter on). The BLAST algorithm determines the % sequence identity in a range of overlap between two aligned sequences. For the purposes of the present invention, the percent sequence identity is preferably calculated in a range of overlap of at least 50 amino acids, more preferably at least 75 amino acids, more preferably at least 100 amino acids, the range being calculated by BLASTP under default settings.

The results of these BLASTP determinations are presented in Tables 2A-2D below. TABLE 2 BLASTP Comparison of Protein Sequences Comparison of the full sequences presented in Table 1 Identities (%)/Positives (%)/length of the compared fragment DCK/dGK Pine Tomato Maize Rice I Rice II AT 75/85/288 79/89/346 75/86/256 50/66/55 77/88/349 Pine — 75/85/307 69/82/269 48/67/68 72/82/309 Tomato — — 74/85/268 55/66/67 78/87/362 Maize — — — 61/70/71 88/92/269 Rice I — — — — 54/65/71

In a preferred embodiment the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention is derived from loblolly pine, and showing at least 76%, preferably at least 80%, more preferred at least 85%, even more preferred at least 90%, most preferred at least 95% identity with the amino acid residues presented in SEQ ID NO: 4, when determined over its entire length.

In another preferred embodiment the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention is derived from tomato, and showing at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, more preferred at least 90%, most preferred at least 95% identity with the amino acid residues presented in SEQ ID NO: 6, when determined over its entire length.

In another preferred embodiment the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention is derived from maize, and showing at least 76%, preferably at least 80%, more preferred at least 85%, even more preferred at least 90%, most preferred at least 95% identity with the amino acid residues presented in SEQ ID NO: 8, when determined over its entire length.

In another preferred embodiment the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention is derived from rice, and showing at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, more preferred at least 90%, most preferred at least 95% identity with the amino acid residues presented in SEQ ID NO: 12, when determined over its entire length.

In another preferred embodiment the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention is derived from rice, and showing at least 60%, more preferably at least 70% more preferably at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, more preferred at least 90%, most preferred at least 95% identity with the amino acid residues presented in SEQ ID NO: 10, when determined over its entire length.

In a preferred embodiment the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme used for the pharmaceutical compositons and for medical and therapeutic use of the invention is derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), and showing at least 76%, preferably at least 80%, more preferred at least 85%, even more preferred at least 90%, most preferred at least 95% identity with the amino acid residues presented in SEQ ID NO: 2, when determined over its entire length.

Variant Polypeptides

In a most preferred embodiment the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention comprises the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 2, as SEQ ID NO: 4, as SEQ ID NO: 6, as SEQ ID NO: 8, as SEQ ID NO: 10, or as SEQ ID NO: 12, or a functional analogue thereof.

In the context of this invention, the term “functional analog” means a polypeptide (or protein) having an amino acid sequence that differs from the sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 2, as SEQ ID NO: 4, as SEQ ID NO: 6, as SEQ ID NO: 8, as SEQ ID NO: 10, or as SEQ ID NO: 12, at one or more amino acid positions and has dCK/dGK activity. Such analogous polypeptides include polypeptides comprising conservative substitutions, splice variants, isoforms, homologues from other species, and polymorphisms.

As defined herein, the term “conservative substitutions” denotes the replacement of an amino acid residue by another, biologically similar residue. Examples of conservative substitutions include

-   -   (i) the substitution of one non-polar or hydrophobic residue         such as alanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, proline,         methionine, phenylalanine or tryptophan for another, in         particular the substitution of alanine, leucine, isoleucine,         valine or proline for another; or     -   (ii) the substitution of one neutral (uncharged) polar residue         such as serine, threonine, tyrosine, asparagine, glutamine, or         cysteine for another, in particular the substitution of arginine         for lysine, glutamic for aspartic acid, or glutamine for         asparagine; or     -   (iii) the substitution of a positively charged residue such as         lysine, arginine or histidine for another; or     -   (iv) the substitution of a negatively charged residue such as         aspartic acid or glutamic acid for another.

The term conservative substitution also include the use of a substituted amino acid residue in place of a parent amino acid residue, provided that antibodies raised to the substituted polypeptide also immunoreact with the un-substituted polypeptide.

Modifications of this primary amino acid sequence may result in proteins which have substantially equivalent activity as compared to the unmodified counterpart polypeptide, and thus may be considered functional analogous of the parent proteins. Such modifications may be deliberate, e.g. as by site-directed mutagenesis, or they may occur spontaneous, and include splice variants, isoforms, homologues from other species, and polymorphisms. Such functional analogous are also contemplated according to the invention.

C— and N-terminal Deletions

According to the invention it has been found that plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzymes that are C— and/or N-terminally altered significantly change their properties in particular in respect of kinetic properties such as turnover and substrate specificity. So from having a more restricted specificity, usually deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) and deoxyguanosine kinase (dGK) activity, the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzymes of the invention may be converted into essentially multi-substrate enzymes, having ability to phosphorylate all four deoxyribonucleosides.

In a preferred embodiment, the plant kinase enzyme of the invention, upon transduction into a cell, decreases at least 3 fold the lethal dose (LD₁₀₀) of at least one nucleoside analogue when compared to the action of a deoxyribonucleoside kinase derived from human Herpes simplex preferably human Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

In another embodiment the invention provides plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzymes having C— and/or N-terminal deletions when compared to the parent un-truncated (parent) enzyme. Such deletions may be obtained by conventional techniques, e.g. site-directed mutagenesis, or as described in the working examples.

In a preferred embodiment, the kinase enyme upon transduction into a cell dereceases at least 3 fold the lethal dose (LD₁₀₀) of at least one nucleoside analogue when compared to the action of the untruncated deoxyribonucleoside enzyme.

In a preferred embodiment, the kinase enzyme of the invention is plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme having a C-terminal and/or N-terminal deletion of up to about 100 amino acids. In a more preferred embodiment the kinase enzyme of the invention is plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme having a C-terminal deletion in the order of 1-80, preferably 1-60 amino acid residues, more preferred 1-50 amino acid residues, even more preferred 1-40 amino acid residues, still more preferred 1-30 amino acid residues, most preferred 1-20 amino acid residues. In a particularly preferred embodiment the kinase enzyme of the invention is plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme having a C-terminal deletion of 61 amino acid residues. In a particularly preferred embodiment said C-terminally deleted variant is derived from tomato.

In another preferred embodiment the kinase enzyme of the invention is plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme having a N-terminal deletion in the order of 1-80, preferably 1-60 amino acid residues, more preferred 1-50 amino acid residues, even more preferred 1-40 amino acid residues, still more preferred 1-30 amino acid residues, most preferred 1-20 amino acid residues. More preferably the N-terminally deleted variant dCK/dGK enzyme is derived from tomato.

According to the invention it has been found that C-terminal deletions create enzymes of changed and often broader substrate specificities, when compared to the un-truncated (parent) enzyme.

Polynucleotides Encoding Plant Deoxyribonucleoside Kinases

In one aspect the invention relates to isolated polynucleotides encoding a plant dCK7dGK-like deoxyribonucleoside kinase, which upon transduction into a cell decreases at least 3 fold the lethal dose (LD₁₀₀) of at least one nucleoside analogue when compared to the action of a deoxyribonucleoside kinase derived from human Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

In one aspect the invention relates to isolated polynucleotides encoding plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzymes derived from loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), from maize (Zea mays) or from rice (Oryza sativa), preferably encoding the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention.

Hybridisation Protocol

In one embodiment, the isolated polynucleotide of the invention is capable of hybridising with the polynucleotide sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 1, as SEQ ID NO: 3, as SEQ ID NO: 5, as SEQ ID NO: 7, as SEQ ID NO: 9, or as SEQ ID NO: 11, or its complementary strand.

Hybridization should be accomplished under at least low stringency conditions, but preferably at medium or high stringency conditions.

Suitable experimental conditions for determining hybridisation at low, medium, or high stringency conditions, respectively, between a nucleotide probe and a homologous DNA or RNA sequence, involves pre-soaking of the filter containing the DNA fragments or RNA to hybridise in 5×SSC [Sodium chloride/Sodium citrate; cf. Sambrook et al.; Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) Ed., Cold Spring Harbor Lab., Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. 1989] for 10 minutes, and prehybridization of the filter in a solution of 5×SSC, 5× Denhardt's solution [cf. Sambrook et al.; Op cit.], 0.5% SDS and 100 μg/ml of denatured sonicated salmon sperm DNA [cf. Sambrook et al.; Op cit.], followed by hybridisation in the same solution containing a concentration of 10 ng/ml of a random-primed [Feinberg A P & Vogelstein B; Anal. Biochem. 1983 132 6-13], ³²P-dCTP-labeled (specific activity>1×10⁹ cpm/μg) probe for 12 hours at approximately 45° C.

The filter is then washed twice for 30 minutes in 2×SSC, 0.5% SDS at a temperature of at least 55° C. (low stringency conditions), more preferred of at least 60° C. (medium stringency conditions), still more preferred of at least 65° C. (medium/high stringency conditions), even more preferred of at least 70° C. (high stringency conditions), and yet more preferred of at least 75° C. (very high stringency conditions).

Molecules to which the oligonucleotide probe hybridises under these conditions may be labelled to detect hybridisation. The complementary nucleic acids or signal nucleic acids may be labelled by conventional methods known in the art to detect the presence of hybridised oligonucleotides. The most common method of detection is the use of autoradiography with e.g. ³H, ¹²⁵I, ³⁵S, ¹⁴C, or ³²P-labelled probes, which may then be detected using an X-ray film. Other labels include ligands, which bind to labelled antibodies, fluorophores, chemoluminescent agents, enzymes, or antibodies, which can then serve as specific binding pair members for a labelled ligand.

Identity of DNA Sequences

In another preferred embodiment, the isolated polynucleotide of the invention has at least 81%, preferably at least 85%, more preferred at least 90%, most preferred at least 95% identity to the polynucleotide sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 1, as SEQ ID NO: 3, as SEQ ID NO: 5, as SEQ ID NO: 7, as SEQ ID NO: 9, or as SEQ ID NO: 11, when determined over the entire length of the SEQ ID NO:. For the purposes of the present invention the percent sequence identity is calculated when BLASTN provides a range of overlap of at least 100 nucleotides, the range being determined under default settings. More preferably the range of overlap is at least 150 nucleotides, more preferably at least 225 nucleotides, more preferably at least 300 nucleotides.

In the context of this invention, “identity” is a measure of the degree of homology of nucleotide sequences. In order to characterize the identity, subject sequences are aligned so that the highest order homology (match) is obtained. Based on these general principles, the “percent identity” of two amino acid sequences or of two nucleic acids is determined using the BLASTN algorithm [Tatiana A. Tatusova, Thomas L. Madden: Blast 2 sequences—a new tool for comparing protein and nucleotide sequences; FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 1999 174 247-250], which is available from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) web site, and using the default settings suggested here (i.e. Reward for a match=1; Penalty for a match=−2; Strand option=both strands; Open gap=5; Extension gap=2; Penalties bap x_dropoff50; Expect=10; Word size=11; Filter on). The BLASTN algorithm determines the % sequence identity in a range of overlap between two aligned nucleotide sequences. For the purposes of the present invention the percent sequence identity is preferably calculated in a range of overlap of at least 100 nucleotides, the range being determined by BLASTN under default settings. More preferably the range of overlap is at least 300 nucleotides.

The results of such a BLASTN comparison are presented in Table 3. TABLE 3 BLASTN Comparison of DNA Sequences Comparison of the full sequences presented in Table 1 Identities (%)/length of the compared fragment dCK/dGK Pine Tomato Maize Rice I Rice II AT 80/422* 78/83* 78/401* n.d. 81/74* 79/143 77/807 77/187 80/544 79/193 Pine — 75/766 79/278* n.d. 79/422* 74/156 74/152 Tomato — — 79/381* n.d. 86/59* 75/149 80/530 79/154 Maize — — — 89/58 86/809 Rice I — — — — 76/200 *fragments sorted beginning from the 5 prime of the sequences n.d. = no significant similarity detected

Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the isolated polynucleotide for medical/pharmaceutical use is derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) and shows at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, more preferred at least 90%, most preferred at least 95% identity to the polynucleotide sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 1, when determined over its entire length.

Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the isolated polynucleotide of the invention is derived from loblolly pine and shows at least 81%, preferably at least 85%, more preferred at least 90%, most preferred at least 95% identity to the polynucleotide sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 3, when determined over its entire length.

In another preferred embodiment, the isolated polynucleotide, of the invention is derived from tomato and shows at least 79%, preferably at least 80%, more preferred at least 85%, even more preferred at least 90%, most preferred at least 95% identity to the polynucleotide sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 5, when determined over its entire length.

In another preferred embodiment, the isolated polynucleotide of the invention is derived from maize and shows at least 79%, preferably at least 80%, more preferred at least 85%, even more preferred at least 90%, most preferred at least 95% identity to the polynucleotide sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 7, when determined over its entire length.

In another preferred embodiment, the isolated polynucleotide of the invention is derived from rice and shows at least 82%, preferably at least 85%, more preferred at least 90%, most preferred at least 95% identity to the polynucleotide sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 11, when determined over its entire length.

In another preferred embodiment, the isolated polynucleotide of the invention is derived from rice and shows at least 82%, preferably at least 85%, more preferred at least 90%, most preferred at least 95% identity to the polynucleotide sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 9, when determined over its entire length.

Analogous DNA Sequences

In its most preferred embodiment, the isolated polynucleotide of the invention comprises the polynucleotide sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 1, as SEQ ID NO: 3, as SEQ ID NO: 5, as SEQ ID NO: 7, as SEQ ID NO: 9, or as SEQ ID NO: 11, or a functional analog thereof.

In the context of this invention, the term “functional analog” covers conservatively modified polynucleotides, and polynucleotides encoding functionally equivalent polypeptides. By functionally equivalent polypeptides is meant a polypeptide having dCK/dGK enzyme activity as herein defined.

In the context of this invention, the term “conservatively modified polynucleotides” refers to those nucleic acids which encode identical or essentially identical amino acid sequences, or where the nucleic acid does not encode an amino acid sequence, to essentially identical sequences.

Because of the degeneracy of the genetic code, a large number of functionally identical nucleic acids encode any given protein. For instance, the codons GCA, GCC, GCG and GCU all encode the amino acid alanine. Thus, at every position where an alanine is specified by a codon, the codon can be altered to any of the corresponding codons described without altering the encoded polypeptide. Such nucleic acid variations are “silent variations,” which are one species of conservatively modified variations. Every nucleic acid sequence herein, which encodes a polypeptide, also describes every possible silent variation of the nucleic acid. One of skill will recognize that each codon in a nucleic acid (except AUG, which is ordinarily the only codon for methionine) can be modified to yield a functionally identical molecule. Accordingly, each silent variation of a nucleic acid, which encodes a polypeptide, is implicit in each described sequence.

Expression Vectors

In one aspect the invention provides recombinant expression vectors comprising the isolated polynucleotide of the invention and a promoter operably linked to the polynucleotide.

The isolated polynucleotides are selected from the group consisting of

-   -   an isolated polynucleotide having the sequence of any of SEQ ID         No. 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11,     -   an isolated polynucleotide encoding a dCK/dGK kinase enzyme of         the invention,     -   an isolated polynucleotide which when aligned to any of the         sequences SEQ ID No. 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11 has at least 90% sequence         identity to said sequence in the range of overlap, and     -   the complementary sequence of any of the above.

The expression vector of the invention preferably is one suitable for carrying out expression in a eukaryotic organism.

In a more preferred embodiment the expression vector of the invention is a viral vector, in particular a Herpes simplex viral vector, an adenoviral vector, an adenovirus-associated viral vector, a lentivirus vector, a retroviral vector or a vacciniaviral vector.

Packaging Cell Lines

In one aspect the invention provides packaging cell lines capable of producing an infective virion, which cell line comprises a vector of the invention.

Packaging cells refers to cells, which contains those elements necessary for production of infectious recombinant vira, which are lacking in a recombinant virus vector. Methods for preparing packaging cells are known in the prior art.

Host Cells

In one aspect the invention provides a host cell comprising the polynucleotide sequence of the invention or the vector of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides an isolated host cell transduced, transfected, or transformed with the expression vector of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment the host cell of the invention is a eukaryotic cell, in particular a mammalian cell, an oocyte, or a yeast cell.

In a more preferred embodiment the host cell of the invention is a human cell, a dog cell, a monkey cell, a rat cell or a mouse cell.

Suicide Systems

One very important use of the dCK/dGK enzyme encoding genes of the present invention is for suicide systems in cell and gene based therapy. In all types of cell and gene therapy on mammals there is a need to have systems, which enable the irreversible killing of transplanted cells or cells which have been transduced by the gene therapy.

There are basically two types of cell based therapies which both can benefit from having a built-in suicide system based on the deoxyribonucleoside kinases according to the present invention. In replacement cell therapy, naked cells are transplanted into a subject to replace cells that have lost the ability to fulfil their function in the body or to replace dead cells. Once these cells have been transplanted and are fully integrated into the body of the subject they cannot easily be removed by surgical means. By having a built-in suicide system in which a kinase of the present invention is expressed constitutively or inducibly, the cells can be killed by administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of a nucleoside analog, such as Gemcitabine. The nucleoside analogue can be administered if the transplanted cells start to proliferate in an uncontrolled manner. One may also wish to terminate the treatment simply because there is no need for the replacement cells anymore or because further treatment is by some other route.

The other type of cell-based therapy includes therapeutic cells which are transplanted into the body to secrete e.g. a growth factor in a certain location. Often such therapeutic cells are encapsulated and can relatively easily be removed from the body again but the incorporation of a suicide system is preferred because the cells can be killed selectively without the use of surgery.

In in vivo gene therapy the same considerations apply as with replacement cell therapy. The incorporation of a suicide gene can be achieved by constructing a viral vector comprising both the therapeutic gene and a dCK/dGK according to the present invention. Preferably the therapeutic gene and the dCK/dGK are inserted under the control of the same promoter, optionally by separating them with an IRES construct.

In the cases where transplanted cells have been conditionally immortalised before transplantation there is a theoretical risk that the oncogene initiates transcription after transplantation and that the transplanted cells consequently become tumorigenic. Means to control this situation are made available by the present invention. Whenever cells are immortalised by transduction with an oncogene under the control of an inducible promoter (e.g. the Tet on-off system, the Mx1 promoter or the like), a dCK/dGK enzyme is inserted into the vector construct under the control of the same promoter (or using an IRES construct). This ensures that whenever the oncogene is transcribed, the deoxyribonucleoside kinase is also transcribed and the transduced and tumorigenic cells can be selectively killed by administering a nucleoside analogue, such as Gemcitabine.

Method of Phosphorylating Nucleosides

The deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention may find different utility, including both therapeutic and biotechnological applications.

In a final aspect the invention relates to use of the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention for phosphorylating nucleosides or a nucleoside analogs.

In a preferred embodiment the invention provides a method for phosphorylating a nucleoside or a nucleoside analog, comprising the steps of

-   -   i) subjecting the nucleoside or nucleoside analog to the action         of the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention;         and     -   ii) recovering the phosphorylated nucleoside or nucleoside         analog.         Imaging

Suicide gene therapy, i.e. transfection of a so-called suicide gene that sensitizes target cells towards a prodrug, offers an attractive approach for treating malignant tumors. For the development of effective clinical suicide gene therapy protocols, a non-invasive method to assay the extent, the kinetics and the spatial distribution of transgene expression is essential. Such imaging methods allow investigators and physicians to assess the efficiency of experimental and therapeutic gene transfection protocols and would enable early prognosis of therapy outcome.

Radionuclide imaging techniques like single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET), which can non-invasively visualize and quantify metabolic processes in vivo, are being evaluated for repetitive monitoring of transgene expression in living animals and humans. Transgene expression can be monitored directly by imaging the expression of the therapeutic gene itself, or indirectly using a reporter gene that is coupled to the therapeutic gene. Various radiopharmaceuticals have been developed and are now being evaluated for imaging of transgene expression.

Therefore, in another aspect, the invention provides a method of non-invasive nuclear imaging of transgene expression of a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention in a cell or subject, which method comprises the steps of

-   -   (i) transfecting said cell or subject with a polynucleotide         sequence encoding a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme,         which enzyme promotes the conversion of a substrate into a         substrate-monophosphate,     -   (ii) delivering said substrate to said cell or subject; and     -   (iii) non-invasively monitoring the change to said prodrug in         said cell or subject.

In a preferred embodiment the monitoring carried out in step (iii) is performed by Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), by Positron Emission Tomography (PET), by Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS), by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), or by Computed Axial X-ray Tomography (CAT), or a combination thereof

In a more preferred embodiment the substrate is a labelled nucleoside analogue selected from those listed above. The labelled nucleoside analogue preferably contains at least one radionuclide as a label. Positron emitting radionuclides are all candidates for usage. In the context of this invention the radionuclide is preferably selected from ²H (deuterium), ³H (tritium), ¹¹C ¹³C, ¹⁴C, ¹⁵O, ¹³N, ¹²³I, ¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I, ¹⁸F and ^(99m)Tc.

An example of commercially available labelling agents, which can be used in the preparation of the labelled nucleoside analogue is [¹¹C]O₂, ¹⁸F, and NaI with different isotopes of Iodine. In particular [¹¹C]O₂ may be converted to a [¹¹C]-methylating agent, such as [¹¹C]H₃I or [¹¹C]-methyl triflate.

Genetically Modified Plants

The deoxyribonucleosides of the invention may also find utility in methods for modifying or controlling plant growth. Therefore, in a further aspect, the invention relates to a method of controlling or modifying growth of a plant, which plant comprises plant cells comprising a polynucleotide encoding a plant dCK/dGK enzyme of the invention, which method comprises the step of exposing the plant or plant cell to a nucleoside analog. By the discovery of hitherto unknown properties of plant deoxyribonucleoside kinases and in particular those described in the present invention, the inventors contemplate the use of nucleoside analogues as herbicides. As plant deoxyribonucleoside kinases convert nucleoside analogues into toxic substances, nucleoside analogues can be used as herbicides for plants having these dCK/dGK enzymes either by nature or as a heterologous gene. By inserting the deoxyribonucleoside kinases of the present invention into plants not having a deoxyribonucleoside kinase with these properties, the plant is rendered susceptible to nucleoside analogs.

The polynucleotide encoding plant dCK/dGK enzyme of the invention preferably is a heterologous polynucleotide, and the plant subjected to the method of the invention preferably is a transgenic plant.

Therefore, in a yet further aspect, the invention provides transgenic plants comprising an expressible heterologous nucleic acid encoding the plant deoxyribonucleoside enzyme of the invention, wherein the heterologous nucleic acid is introduced into the transgenic plant, or an ancestor of the transgenic plant.

The transgenic plant may be obtained by known techniques for producing genetically modified plants, e.g. by introducing into a plant cell an expression vector of the invention.

Any plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase may also be knocked out and/or functionally replaced by another plant dCK/dGK, said other kinase not being able to convert a certain nucleoside analog. A nucleoside analogue may then be used to kill all other plants around this genetically modified plant.

Any transformed plant obtained according to the invention can be used in a conventional breeding scheme or in vitro plant propagation to produce more transformed plants with the same characteristics and/or can be used to introduce the same characteristics in other varieties of the same or related species. Such plants are also part of the invention. Seeds obtained from the transformed plants contain the same genetical characteristics and also form part of the invention.

Preferably the polynucleotide sequence encoding a plant dCK/dGK is selected from the group consisiting of:

-   -   a polynucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID No 1 or 5;     -   a polynucleotide sequence having at least 80% sequence identity         with SEQ ID No 1 or 5 when determined over its entire length;     -   a polynucleotide sequence derived from SEQ ID No 1 or 5 having a         5′ and/or 3′ deletion in the order of 3 to 240 nucleotides.

These polynucleotide sequences encode plant dCK/dGK enzymes with preferred kinetic properties.

More preferably, the polynucleotide sequence is derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), which sequence shows at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, more preferred at least 90%, most preferred at least 95% identity with the polynucleotide sequence presented as SEQ ID No. 1. The thale cress dCK/dGK is the most efficient in terms of conversion of nucleoside analogs.

EXAMPLES

The invention is further illustrated with reference to the following examples, which are not intended to be in any way limiting to the scope of the invention as claimed.

Example 1

Identification and Determination of the Sequence of Plant dNK

When deposited sequences from Arabidopsis thaliana and Lycopersicum esculentum were analysed for homology to Dm-dNK (ACCN CAB41881), a putative deoxyribonucleoside kinase with a complete open reading frame (ORF) of 1086 bp (a protein of 361 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 41.2 kDa) was found for Arabidopsis thaliana (ACCN AAG51141), and an EST (ACCN AW223792, clone cLEN13L23) with 541 bp was found for Lycopersicum esculentum. The plasmid containing ACCN AW223792 (clone cLEN13L23) was obtained from the Clemson University Genomics Institute and the insert sequenced. For cLEN13L23 an ORF of 1098 bp encoding a protein of 365 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 42.2 kDa was found. The ORF was submitted to GenBank™ with the ACCN AF514776 (SEQ ID NO 5).

When deposited plant EST sequences were analysed for homology with ACCN AF514776 from Lycopersicum esculentum, an EST (ACCN AW011158, clone ST17D06) with 594 bp from loblolly pine, an EST (ACCN AW036847) with 631 bp from maize, and an EST (ACCN C73813, clone E20207) with 455 bp from rice were found. The plasmid containing ACCN AW011158 was obtained from Ross Whetten, Forest Biotechnology Group, North Carolina State University, Dept. of Forestry, NC State University, 6113 Jordan Hall, Raleigh, N.C., 27695-8008. The plasmid containing ACCN AW036847 was obtained from V. Walbot, Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, 855 California Ave, Palo Alto, Calif. 94304, USA. The plasmid containing ACCN C73813 was obtained from Takuji Sasaki, National Institute of Agrobiological Resources, Rice Genome Research Program, Kannondai 2-1-2, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8602, Japan.

The inserts of the three plasmids were completely sequenced, and partial sequences for deoxyribonucleoside kinases (Loblolly pine, Maize and Rice I) were found (see SEQ ID NOS: 3, 7 and 9).

An alignment of the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase sequences is presented in Table 1.

By comparing the full-length ORF of the Arabidopsis thaliana and Lycopersicum esculentum deoxyribonculeoside kinases to genomic sequences of rice, and by combining several DNA fragments from ACCN AP003922, the following full-length ORF for a deoxyribonucleoside kinase from rice presented as SEQ ID NO: 11 could be assembled, encoding the protein presented as SEQ ID NO: 12.

The fact that SEQ ID NO: 10 is not completely identical to SEQ ID NO 12 implies the existence of isoforms of rice deoxyribonculeoside kinases (Rice dNK I and Rice dNK II).

Example 2

Construction of Bacterial Expression Plasmids

This example describes the preparation of bacterial expression plasmids for full-length and N— and/or C-terminal truncated deoxyribonucleoside kinases. The deoxyribonucleoside kinase from Lycopersicum esculentum and its truncated mutants were amplified and subcloned as follows:

The ORF of AF514776 (SEQ ID NO 5) was amplified by PCR using the primers TOMfor1: (SEQ ID NO: 13) 5′ TAT CGC GGA TCC ATG GTT GAG TTC TTG CAA AGC TCA ATT GGA 3′, and TOMrev1A: (SEQ ID NO: 14) 5′ CCG GAA TTC GTC GAC TTA GTG AGA CAT GAA TGA CAT ATT TC 3′,

and using clone cLEN13L23 as the template.

The PCR fragment was subsequently cut by EcoRI/BamHI and ligated into pGEX-2T vector (Amersham-Pharmacia) that was also cut by EcoRI/BamHI. The resulting plasmid was named pGEX-2T-TOM-dCK/dGK.

In analogy N and/or C-terminal deletions were done and the PCR fragments ligated into pGEX-2T.

For N-terminal deletion the primers TOMDELfor: (SEQ ID NO: 15) 5′ TAT CGC GGA TCC GTG AAG TCA ACA CAA AAG AAA CGA CTT ACT 3′, and

TOMrev1A (SEQ ID NO: 14) were used, the resulting plasmid was named pGEX-2T-TOM-ΔNdCK/dGK.

For C-terminal deletion the primers

TOMfor1 (SEQ ID NO: 13), and TOMDELrev: (SEQ ID NO: 16) 5′ CCG GAA TCC TTA AGC AAC TTG ACG AGC ATA CTG CCT CTT TGC 3′,

were used, the resulting plasmid was named pGEX-2T-TOM-dCK/dGKΔC.

For N— and C-terminal deletion the primers TOMDELfor (SEQ ID NO: 15) and TOMDELrev (SEQ ID NO: 16) were used together, and the resulting plasmid was named pGEX-2T-TOM-ΔNdCK/dGKΔC.

The deoxyribonucleoside kinase from Arabidopsis thaliana was subcloned as follows. The ORF was amplified from a cDNA library (Stragene) using the following primers: 1MSAtdGK-B: (SEQ ID NO: 17) 5′ CGC GGA TCC ATG GTT GAT TAT CTT AGG AGC TCT GTT GGG 3′ and 2MSAtdGK-E: (SEQ ID NO: 18) 5′ CCG GAA TTC TCA CGC AGA CGG TCT AGT GAG GAG TGA CTT G 3′

The PCR fragment was subsequently cut by EcoRI/BamHI and ligated into pGEX-2T vector that was also cut by EcoRI/BamHI. The resulting plasmid was named pGEX-2T-AT-dCK/dGK.

For comparison an expression plasmid for human Herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-TK) was also constructed. The thymidine kinase from human HSV1 was amplified using the primers HSV-for A: (SEQ ID NO: 19) 5′ CGC GGA TCC ATG GCT TCG TAC CCC GGC CAT C 3′, and HSV-rev: (SEQ ID NO: 20) 5′ CCG GAA TTC TTA GTT AGC CTC CCC CAT CTC CCG 3′,

using the plasmid pCMV-pacTK described by Karreman [Christiaan Karreman; Gene 1998 218 57-62] as template.

The PCR fragment was subsequently cut by EcoRI/BamHI and ligated into pGEX-2T vector that was also cut by EcoRI/BamHI. The resulting plasmid was named pGEX-2T-HSV-TK.

Example 3

Recombinant Expression and Enzyme Assay

In this example the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzymes of the invention are expressed and their activity characterised.

To investigate the importance of the N— and C-terminal parts of the plant dCK/dGK TOM-dCK/dGK was reduced stepwise to a core of 263 amino acids, which corresponds roughly the total length of other eukaryotic TK2 or dCK/dGK-like deoxyribonucleoside kinases.

The E. coli strain KY895 (F⁻, tdk-1, ilv) [Knecht W, Munch-Petersen B and Pi{hacek over (s)}kur J: Identification of residues involved in the specificity and regulation of the highly efficient multisubstrate deoxyribonucleoside kinase from Drosophila melanogaster; J. Mol. Biol. 2000 301 827-837] was transformed by various expression plasmids using standard techniques. Transformed KY895 strains were grown to an OD600 nm of 0.5-0.6 in LB/Ampicillin (100 μg/ml) medium at 37° C., and protein expression was induced by addition of 100 μM IPTG. The cells were further grown for 4 hours at 25° C. and subsequently harvested by centrifugation.

Pellets were stored at −80° C. until activity testing. Pellets were submitted to brief sonification in extraction buffer (50 mM Tris/HCl pH 7.5, 1 mM DTT, 10% (v/v) glycerol, 1% (v/v) Triton X-100, protease inhibitor cocktail (Complete™ from Roche Diagnostics).

Deoxyribonucleoside kinase activities were determined in the KY895 extracts by initial velocity measurements based on four time samples by the DE-81 filter paper assay using tritium-labelled nucleoside substrates. 4 to 20 μg extracts were used in the assays. The assay was done as described by Munch-Petersen et al. [Munch-Petersen, B., Knecht, W, Lenz, C., Sondergaard, L. & Piskur, J: Functional expression of a multisubstrate deoxyribonucleoside kinase from Drosophila melanogaster and its C-terminal deletion mutants; J. Biol. Chem. 2000 275 6673-6679].

The protein concentration was determined according to Bradford with BSA as standard protein [Bradford M M: A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding; Anal. Biochem. 1976 72 248-254]. SDS-PAGE was done according to the procedure of Laemmli [Laemmli U K: Cleavage of structural proteins during the assembly of the head of bacteriophage T4; Nature 1970 227 680-685], and proteins were visualized by Coomassie staining to verify recombinant protein expression.

The four natural deoxyribonucleosides were tested at a fixed concentration of 100 μM. The highest specific activity in each extract was set to 100%.

The results of these experiments are presented in Table 4 below. TABLE 4 Deoxyribonucleoside Kinase Activity in Extracts of Transformed KY895 Transformant* dThd dAdo dGuo dCyd pGEX-2T n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. pGEX-2T-TOM-dCK/dGK n.d. 94 100 68 (3.3) pGEX-2T-TOM-ΔNdCK/dGK n.d. 82 100 69 (0.32) pGEX-2T-TOM-dCK/dGKΔC 100 64 74 50 (0.27) pGEX-2T-TOM-ΔNdCK/dGKΔC n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. pGEX-2T-AT-dCK/dGK n.d. 100 91 77 (1.9) *pGEX-2T is the vector and is available from Amersham-Pharmacia; pGEX-2T-TOM-dCK/dGK is the vector containing the gene encoding a tomato dNK enzyme; # pGEX-2T-TOM-ΔNdCK/dGK is the vector containing a gene that has been N-terminally deleted, encoding a tomato dNK enzyme; pGEX-2T-TOM-dCK/dGKΔC is the vector containing # a gene that has been C-terminally deleted, encoding a tomato dNK enzyme; pGEX-2T-TOM-ΔNdCK/dGKΔC is the vector containing a gene that has been an N-terminally deleted and # C-terminally deleted, encoding a tomato dNK enzyme; and pGEX-2T-AT-dCK/dGK is the vector containing the gene encoding an Arabidopsis thaliana dNK enzyme. The figures in parenthesis show the specific activity in mU/mg corresponding to 100%. n.d. = not detectable.

The deoxyribonucleoside kinases from Arabidopsis thaliana (pGEX-2T-AT-dCK/dGK) and tomato (pGEX-2T-TOM-dCK/dGK and pGEX-2T-TOM-ΔNdCK/dGK) were able to phosphorylate dCyd, dAdo and dGuo, but not dThd. Deletion of the C-terminal part of the tomato dCK/dGK-like kinase (pGEX-2T-TOM-dCK/dGKΔC) resulted in significantly different substrate specificities, and dThd became the fastest converted substrate. This shows that the C-terminus is important in the determination of the substrate specificity.

In short, the extended N— and C-terminus together play a vital role in substrate specificity and structural integrity of plant deoxyribonucleoside kinases.

Example 4

Determination of LD₁₀₀ of Transformed KY895

Deoxyribonucleoside kinases are of interest as suicide-genes to be used in gene-mediated therapy of cancer or viral infections. In this example the potential of the plant kinases of the invention to convert different nucleoside analogs are compared to that of the human Herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-TK) in a bacterial test system.

The experiment was carried out essentially as described by Knecht et al. [Knecht W, Munch-Petersen B and Pi{hacek over (s)}kur J.: Identification of residues involved in the specificity and regulation of the highly efficient multisubstrate deoxyribonucleoside kinase from Drosophila melanogaster; J. Mol. Biol. 1970 301 827-837]. Briefly, overnight cultures of transformed KY895 were diluted 200-fold in 10% glyercol and 2 μl drops of the dilutions were spotted on M9 minimal medium plates [Ausubel F, Brent R, Kingston R E, Moore D D, Seidman J G, Smith J A & Struhl K (Eds.): Short protocols in molecular biology; 3^(rd) edition (1995) pp. 1-2, Wiley, USA] supplemented with 0.2% glucose, 40 μg/ml isoleucine, 40 μg/ml valine, 100 μg/ml ampicillin and with or without nucleoside analogs. Growth was inspected visually after 24 hours of incubation at 37° C.

The results of the experiment are presented in Table 5 below. TABLE 5 LD₁₀₀ Values for Growth of Transformed KY895 Cells on Nucleoside Analog dFdC Transformant* dFdC (μM) pGEX-2T 100 pGEX-2T-TOM-dCK/dGK 10 pGEX-2T-TOM-ΔNdCK/dGK 10 pGEX-2T-TOM-dCK/dGKΔC 100 pGEX-2T-TOM-ΔNdCK/dGKΔC 100 pGEX-2T-AT-dCK/dGK 0.01 pGEX-2T-HSV-TK 100 *See comments to Table 4.

As can be seen from Table 5, AT-dCK/dGK was most efficient, as reflected by the lowest LD₁₀₀, in killing KY895 on dFdC plates. The LD₁₀₀ was 10000-fold lower than that of HSV1-TK, that sensitised the cells to the same degree as the empty plasmid pGEX-2T. Cells transfected with the expression plasmid for TOM-dCK/dGK or TOM-ΔNdCK/dGK could be killed at 10-fold lower concentrations than cells transformed with pGEX-2T-HSV-TK or pGEX-2T.

Example 5

Construction of a Retrovirus Vector Expressing Plant Kinases

The cDNA of plant kinases were cloned into a retrovirus vector based on the Moloney murine leukemia (MLV) virus to generate a replication-deficient recombinant retrovirus containing the kinases.

DNA fragments were amplified with Pfu polymerase (Stratagene) using primers with designed flanking restriction enzyme sites and containing Kozak sequence at 5′ end.

A. thaliana and tomato constructs based on PCR fragment were cut with BamHI/XhoI and cloned into the BglII-XhoI site of the pLCXSN plasmid vector (NsGene A/S) under the control of CMV promoter.

Two constructs were obtained: AtdCGK (PZG190) and TomdCGK (PZG193). LCXSN alone was used as a control.

The plasmids were purified using the Qiagen plasmid kit (QIAGEN) and DNA sequences of the constructed plasmids were verified by DNA sequence determination.

The following primer sequences were used: At dCK/dGK + Kozak 5′ TCCCTCGAGCGCCATGGTTGATTATCTTAGGAGC 3′ At dCK/dGK 3′end 5′ CGGGATCCTCACGCAGACGGTCTAGTGAGGAG 3′ Tomato dCK/dGK + Kozak 5′ TCCCTCGAGCGCCATGGTTGAGTTCTTGCAAAGC 3′ Tomato dCK/dGK 3′end 5′ CGGGATCCTTAGTGAGACATGAATGACATATTTC 3′

HE 293 T packaging cells (ATCC CRL-11268) were cultured at 37° C. in OPTIMEM 1 medium (Life Technologies, Inc.) The constructed pLCXSN plasmid vector was transfected into the packaging cells using LipofectAMINE PLUS (Life Technologies, Inc.) according to the protocol provided by the supplier. The medium from the transfected cells was collected 48 hours after transfection, filtered through a 0.45 μm filter, pelleted by ultracentrifugation (50.000×g, 90 minutes at 4° C.) and dissolved in DMEM (Cambrex, Bio Whittaker Cat. No. 12-741-F).

The virus containing medium was subsequently used to transduce the cancer cell lines with a MOI of 5.

Cell Culture and Retroviral Transduction

Human breast MCF-7 (ATCC HTB-22) and Glioblastoma U-118-MG (ATCC HTB-15) cancer cells were purchased from the American Type Culture Collection. Cells were cultured in RPMI, E-MEM or D-MEM (Cambrex, Bio Whittaker Cat. No. 12-115-F, 12-611 and 12-741-F) with 10% (v/v) Australian originated fetal calf serum (Cambrex, Bio Whittaker Cat. No. 12-611) and 1 ml/l of Gentamicin (Cambrex, Bio Whittaker Cat. No. 17-518). Cells were grown at 37° C. in a humidified incubator with a gas phase of 5% CO₂.

The cells were transduced with the retrovirus containing medium mixed with 5 μg/ml of Polybrene, incubated for 48 hours and then cultured continuously for 3 weeks in the presence of 300-400 μg/ml Genetecin® (Life Technologies Inc.).

Cell Proliferation Assay—Cytotoxicity

Cells were plated at densities range of 1.500-3.500 cells/well in 96-well plates coated with Poly-L-lysine (Sigma Cat. No. P6282) Gemcitabine (obtained from Orifarm A/S—DK) was added after 24 hours of incubation at 37° C., 5% CO₂, and the medium containing the nucleoside analog. Each experiment was performed in four replicates. Cell survival was assayed after 96-120 hours of drug exposure, by XTT cell proliferation kit (X) kit II, Roche Cat. No. 1 465 015). The data was corrected for background media-only absorbance where after the 50% cell killing drug concentration—(IC₅₀ value) was calculated. The IC₅₀ value of the investigated drug/compound was calculated as the mean of these experiments using SigmaPlot®) (SPSS Science, Dyrberg Traiding—DK).

Expression of Plant dCGK

The sensitivity of the untransduced cells, and of the cells transduced with either the retroviral vector alone ore the vector containing plant kinases for Gemcitabine was determined.

The cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ value) was determined after 96-120 hours of drug exposure. The results are presented in the table below. TABLE 6 Sensitivity (IC₅₀) of the Glioma and Breast cell lines to Gemcitabine The concentrations which cause 50% lethality are shown for each construct and the parental cell line. The factor of sensitivity increase is compared to the parental cell line. IC₅₀ value Sensitivity factor U-118-MG Parental 0.0062 μM — PZG190 0.0003 μM 20-fold MCF-7 Parental 3.1157 mM — PZG190 0.5000 mM 6-fold PZG193 0.4025 mM 8-fold

The difference in sensitivity between the parental cell line and the cells transduced with the pLCXSN vector alone was less than 1-fold.

The cell lines expressing the plant kinases, showed an increase in sensitivity to Gemcitabine. The highest increase was detected in the glioma cell line (U-118-MG) expressing Arabidopsis thaliana dCK (PZG190) with a 20-fold -increase in IC₅₀ compared with the untransduced cells. 

1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme having dCK/dGK-like deoxyribonucleoside kinase activity, or a polynucleotide sequence encoding said at least one plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme, or an expression vector comprising said polynucleotide sequence, or a packaging cell line capable of producing an infective virion comprising said vector, or an isolated host cell transduced with the vector, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme is selected from the group consisting of: i. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), from maize (Zea mays) or from rice (Oryza sativa), ii. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 10, or SEQ ID NO: 12, iii. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising an amino acid sequence of at least 70% identity with any one of the sequences of item ii, when determined over its entire length, iv. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme having an amino acid sequence which, when aligned with a sequence selected from those presented in Table 1, comprises 60% or more of the residues identified in Table 1 as conserved residues, and v. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase as defined above having a C-terminal and/or N-terminal deletion in the order of 1-80 amino acid residues.
 3. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 2, wherein the plant dCK/dGK-like deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme, upon transduction into a cell, decreases at least 3 fold the lethal dose (LD₁₀₀) of at least one nucleoside analogue when compared to the action of a deoxyribonucleoside kinase derived from human Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).
 4. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 3, wherein the nucleoside analogue selected from the group consisting of cytidine, guanosine and adenosine analogs, more preferably wherein the nucleoside analog is Gemcitabine (dFdC).
 5. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase is a multi-substrate kinase capable of converting all four natural deoxyribonucleosides (dThd, dCyd, dAdo, dGuo).
 6. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 5, wherein the enzyme has a C-terminal deletion of 1-80 amino acid residues.
 7. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 6, wherein the enzyme upon transduction into a cell decreases at least 3 fold the lethal dose (LD₁₀₀) of at least one nucleoside analogue when compared to the action of the untruncated deoxyribonucleoside kinase.
 8. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase has an amino acid sequence which, when aligned with a sequence selected from those presented in Table 1, comprises 60% or more of the residues identified in Table 1 as conserved residues.
 9. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 8, wherein the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase has an amino acid sequence which also comprises a semi-conserved residue at 60% or more of the positions identified in Table 1 as semi-conserved residues.
 10. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1 wherein the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase has an N-terminal deletion in the order of 1-60 amino acid residues.
 11. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase is derived from loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), and which enzyme shows at least 76% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO:
 4. 12. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 2, wherein the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase is derived from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), and which enzyme shows at least 80% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO:
 6. 13. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 2, wherein the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase is derived from maize (Zea mays), and which enzyme shows at least 80% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO:
 8. 14. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 2, wherein the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase is derived from rice (Oryza sativa), and which enzyme shows at least 80% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 10 or SEQ ID NO:
 12. 15. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 2, wherein the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase is derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), and which enzyme shows at least 80% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO:
 2. 16. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 2, wherein the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: i. the polynucleotide sequence of any of SEQ ID Nos 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11; ii. a polynucleotide sequence having at least 70% sequence identity with any of SEQ ID Nos 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11 when determined over its entire length; iii. a polynucleotide sequence capable of hybridising under at least medium stringency conditions with a polynucleotide sequence presented as SEQ ID Nos 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11; and iv. a functional analog of any of SEQ ID Nos 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or
 11. 17. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 2, wherein the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme is selected from the group consisting of: i. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), or from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), ii. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, or SEQ ID NO: 6, iii. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising an amino acid sequence of at least 80% identity with any one of said SEQ ID Nos, when determined over its entire length, and iv. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase as defined above having an N-terminal or C-terminal deletion of 1-80 amino acid residues.
 18. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, comprising a vector construct comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase as defined in claim 1 and a promoter operably linked to said polynucleotide sequence
 19. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 18, wherein the vector is a viral vector, in particular a Herpes simplex viral vector, an adenoviral vector, an adenovirus-associated viral vector, a lentivirus vector, a retroviral vector or a vacciniaviral vector.
 20. Articles comprising a nucleoside analogue and a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase, or a gene coding for said plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase, or vector comprising said gene coding for said plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase, or a packaging cell line capable of producing an infective virion comprising said vector, as a combination for the simultaneous, separate or successive administration in cancer therapy.
 21. The articles of claim 20, wherein said plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme is selected from the group consisting of: i. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), from maize (Zea mays) or from rice (Oryza sativa), ii. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 10, or SEQ ID NO: 12, iii. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising an amino acid sequence of at least 70% identity with any one of said SEQ ID NOs, when determined over its entire length, iv. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme having an amino acid sequence which, when aligned with a sequence selected from those presented in Table 1, comprises 60% or more of the residues identified in Table 1 as conserved residues, v. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase as defined in any of items ii or iii having a C-terminal and/or N-terminal deletion of 1-80 amino acid residues.
 22. Articles of claim 21, wherein the nucleoside analogue is selected from the group consisting of cytidine analogs, adenosine analogs and guanosine analogs.
 23. Articles of claim 21, wherein the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme is selected from the group consisting of: i. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), ii. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 6, iii. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising an amino acid sequence of at least 80% identity with any one said SEQ ID Nos, when determined over its entire length, and iv. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase as defined above having an N-terminal or C-terminal deletion of 1-80 amino acid residues.
 24. Articles of claim 21, wherein the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase is derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), and which enzyme shows at least 80% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO:
 2. 25. A method of sensitising a cell to a prodrug, which method comprises the steps of (i) transfecting said cell with a polynucleotide sequence encoding a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme, which enzyme promotes the conversion of said prodrug into a (cytotoxic) drug; and (ii) delivering said prodrug to said cell; wherein said cell is more sensitive to said (cytotoxic) drug than to said prodrug.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the prodrug is a nucleoside analogue.
 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the prodrug is selected from the group consisting of cytidine, guanosine and adenosine analogs, more preferably wherein the prodrug is Gemcitabine.
 28. The method of claim 25, wherein the encoded plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme is selected from the group consisting of: i. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), from maize (Zea mays) or from rice (Oryza sativa), ii. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 10, or SEQ ID NO: 12 iii. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising an amino acid sequence of at least 70% identity with any one of the said SEQ ID NOs, when determined over its entire length, iv. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme having an amino acid sequence which, when aligned with a sequence selected from those presented in Table 1, comprises 60% or more of the residues identified in Table 1 as conserved residues, v. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase as defined above having a C-terminal and/or N-terminal deletion of 1-80 amino acid residues.
 29. The method of claim 25, wherein the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme is selected from the group consisting of: i. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), or from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), ii. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, or SEQ ID NO: 6, iii. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising an amino acid sequence of at least 80% identity with any one said SEQ ID Nos, when determined over its entire length, and iv. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase as defined above having an N-terminal or C-terminal deletion of 1-80 amino acid residues.
 30. The method of claim 25, wherein the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase is derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), and which enzyme shows at least 80% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO:
 2. 31. A method of inhibiting a pathogenic agent in a warm-blooded animal, which method comprises administering to said animal a polynucleotide or a vector encoding a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme, or a packaging cell line capable of producing an infective virion comprising said vector.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the encoded plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme is selected from the group consisting of: i. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), from maize (Zea mays) or from rice (Oryza sativa), ii. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 10, or SEQ ID NO: 12, iii. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising an amino acid sequence of at least 70% identity with any one of said SEQ ID NOs, when determined over its entire length, iv. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme having an amino acid sequence which, when aligned with a sequence selected from those presented in Table 1, comprises 60% or more of the residues identified in Table 1 as conserved residues, v. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase as defined above having a C-terminal and/or N-terminal deletion of 1-80 amino acid residues.
 33. The method of claim 31, wherein said polynucleotide sequence or said vector is administered in vivo.
 34. The method of claim 31, wherein said pathogenic agent is a virus, a bacteria or a parasite.
 35. The method of claim 31, wherein said pathogenic agent is a tumour cell.
 36. The method of claim 31, wherein said pathogenic agent is an autoreactive immune cell.
 37. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of administering a nucleoside analogue to said warm-blooded animal.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein said nucleoside analogue is selected from the group consisting of cytosine, guanosine and adenosine analogs.
 39. The method of claim 32, wherein the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme is selected from the group consisting of: i. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), or from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), ii. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, or SEQ ID NO: 6, iii. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising an amino acid sequence of at least 80% identity with any one said SEQ ID Nos, when determined over its entire length, and iv. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase as defined above having an N-terminal or C-terminal deletion of 1-80 amino acid residues.
 40. The method of claim 32, wherein the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase is derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), and which enzyme shows at least 80% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO:
 2. 41. The isolated plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase of claim 68, which is derived from loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), and which enzyme shows at least 90% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO:
 4. 42. The isolated plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase of claim 68, which is derived from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), and which enzyme shows at least 90% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO:
 6. 43. The isolated plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase of claim 68, which is derived from maize (Zea mays), and which enzyme shows at least 90% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO:
 8. 44. The isolated plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase of claim 68, which is derived from rice (Oryza sativa), and which enzyme shows at least 70% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO:
 10. 45. The isolated plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase of claim 68, which is derived from rice (Oryza sativa), and which enzyme shows at least 90% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO:
 12. 46-49. (canceled)
 50. An isolated polynucleotide encoding a plant dCK/dGK-like deoxyribonucleoside kinase, selected from the group consisting of i. an isolated polynucleotide having the sequence of any of SEQ ID No. 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11, an isolated polynucleotide encoding an enzyme showing at least 90% sequence identity with an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, ii. an isolated polynucleotide which when aligned to any of the sequences SEQ ID Nos 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11 has at least 90% sequence identity to said sequence in the range of overlap, iii. the complementary sequence of any of the above.
 51. A vector construct comprising the polynucleotide of claim 50, and a promoter operably linked to the polynucleotide.
 52. The vector construct of claim 51, being a viral vector, in particular a Herpes simplex viral vector, an adenoviral vector, an adenovirus-associated viral vector, a lentivirus vector, a retroviral vector or a vacciniaviral vector.
 53. A packaging cell line capable of producing an infective virion comprising the vector of claim
 51. 54. An isolated host cell transduced/transfected/transformed with the vector of claim
 51. 55. The host cell of claim 54, which is a human cell, a dog cell, a pig cell, a monkey cell, a rat cell or a mouse cell.
 56. (canceled)
 57. A method of phosphorylating a nucleoside or a nucleoside analog, comprising the steps of i) subjecting the nucleoside or nucleoside analog to the action of a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme having dCK/dGK activity, and ii) recovering the phosphorylated nucleoside or nucleoside analog.
 58. A method of non-invasive nuclear imaging of transgene expression of a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme of the invention in a cell or subject, which method comprises the steps of (i) transfecting said cell or subject with a polynucleotide sequence encoding a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme, which enzyme promotes the conversion of a substrate into a substrate-monophosphate; (ii) delivering said substrate to said cell or subject; and (iii) non-invasively monitoring the change to said prodrug in said cell or subject.
 59. The method of claim 58, wherein the monitoring carried out in step (iii) is performed by Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), by Positron Emission Tomography (PET), by Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS), by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), or by Computed Axial X-ray Tomography (CAT), or a combination thereof.
 60. The method of claim 58, wherein the substrate is a labelled nucleoside analogue.
 61. The method of claim 58, wherein the encoded plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme is selected from the group consisting of: i. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), from maize (Zea mays) or from rice (Oryza sativa), ii. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 10, or SEQ ID NO: 12, iii. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising an amino acid sequence of at least 70% identity with any one of the said SEQ ID NOs, when determined over its entire length, iv. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme having an amino acid sequence which, when aligned with a sequence selected from those presented in Table 1, comprises 60% or more of the residues identified in Table 1 as conserved residues, v. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase as defined above having a C-terminal and/or N-terminal deletion of 1-80 amino acid residues.
 62. The method of claim 58, wherein the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme is selected from the group consisting of: vi. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), or from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), vii. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2,or SEQ ID NO: 6, viii. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme comprising an amino acid sequence of at least 80% identity with any one said SEQ ID Nos, when determined over its entire length, and ix. a plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase as defined above having an N-terminal or C-terminal deletion of 1-80 amino acid residues.
 63. The method of claim 58, wherein the plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase is derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), and which enzyme shows at least 80% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO:
 2. 64. A method of controlling or modifying growth of a plant, which plant comprises plant cells comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding a pland dCK/dGK enzyme, which method comprises the step of exposing the plant or plant cells to a nucleoside analogue.
 65. The method of claim 64, wherein said nucleoside analogue is selected from the group consisting of cytidine, guanosine and adenosine analogs, more preferably wherein the nucleoside analog is Gemcitabine.
 66. The method of claim 64, wherein said polynucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of: a polynucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID No 1 or 5; a polynucleotide sequence having at least 80% sequence identity with SEQ ID No 1 or 5 when determined over its entire length; a polynucleotide sequence derived from SEQ ID No 1 or 5 having a 5′ and/or 3′ deletion in the order of 3 to 240 nucleotides.
 67. The method of claim 64, wherein said polynucleotide sequence is derived from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), which sequence shows at least 80% identity with the polynucleotide sequence presented as SEQ ID No.
 1. 68. An isolated plant deoxyribonucleoside kinase enzyme, which is derived from (1) loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), and which enzyme shows at least 90% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 4; (2) tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), and which enzyme shows at least 90% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 6; (3) maize (Zea mays), and which enzyme shows at least 90% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 8; (4) rice (Oryza sativa), and which enzyme shows at least 70% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO: 10; (5) rice (Oryza sativa), and which enzyme shows at least 90% identity with the amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO:
 12. 